Meeting Indonesian research partners for impact – Palu

Palu, 25 August 2025

Following their trip to North Sulawesi and Gorontalo provinces, the Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research (PAIR) team visited Palu in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia to meet PAIR researchers from Universitas Tadulako (Untad), regional government and other local stakeholders. The team was welcomed by the Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs of Untad and one of PAIR Sulawesi researchers, Professor Dr Eng Ir Andi Rusdin ST MT MSc.

The delegation had a meeting with the Provincial Secretary of Central Sulawesi, Dra Novalina MM. She underlined the importance of this collaboration noting that research-related findings can be aligned with provincial strategy and policymaking. The agenda was followed by an official reception hosted by the Mayor of Palu, Hadiyanto Rasyid SE, who expressed his support for the research project.

“All local government agencies related to this research project will coordinate with the AIC and PAIR team, as the results of this research can benefit the people of Palu,” said Mr Rasyid.

A roundtable discussion was held at Untad with all stakeholders joined by the Australian Consul-General in Makassar, Mr Todd Dias, the Advisor for Economy and Development Affairs to the Governor of Central Sulawesi, Dr Farid Rifai Yotolembah SSos MSi, the Vice-Rector of Untad, Professor Rusdin and the Executive Director of the Australia-Indonesia Centre (AIC), Dr Eugene Sebastian as panellists.

This roundtable meeting emphasised strategic consolidation to develop a climate-resilient healthcare system in the region through policy implementation.

The delegation also travelled to Watusampu Subdistrict, one area severely damaged by the 2018 earthquake and tsunami. They were guided by the Chief of Local Elders, Edison Ardiles AR Mansyur and the Head of Watusampu Subdistrict, Masrun.

The PAIR program is led by the Australia-Indonesia Centre, funded by the governments of Indonesia and Australia along with the support of the AIC’s ten founding university partners.

Learn more

PAIR Sulawesi
Australia-Indonesia Centre

Partner universities:

Ten university partners in the AIC consortium: Airlangga University, Bandung Institute of Technology, Gadjah Mada University, Hasanuddin University, IPB University, Monash University, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, University of Indonesia, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland.

Nine regional partners join PAIR Sulawesi: Gorontalo State University, Halu Oleo University, Sam Ratulangi University,Tadulako University, West Sulawesi University, Mulawarman University, Kalimantan Institute of Technology, Pattimura University, Khairun University

Media enquiries to: 

Helen Brown, Head Communications and Outreach
Mobile and WA   + 61 417 359 177   |  +62 811 190 5033
helen.brown@australiaindonesiacentre.org

Image credit: Universitas Tadulako